My Go-to Usb-c Accessory Ever Has A Magnetic Feature That Protects Your Devices

8 hours ago

ZDNET's cardinal takeaways

These 240W USB-C connectors, which person a MagSafe-type system that makes them safer and much unafraid than modular connectors, are disposable now connected Amazon for 30% off.
They're a must-have for travelers, tech enthusiasts, and folks who often move betwixt different cables and ports.
Just beryllium mindful of wherever you shop these connectors, arsenic they are mini and perchance easy to lose, particularly nan ends (although you tin bargain spare ones).

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This mightiness beryllium 1 of nan champion USB-C accessories I've ever purchased. Although elemental and straightforward, it has protected my USB-C ports from harm galore times and prevented laptops from being pulled to nan level by group (usually me) tripping complete nan charging cable.

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It's a magnetic breakaway USB-C connector akin to Apple's MagSafe connector, compatible pinch each your devices, from smartphones and tablets to powerfulness banks, docks, and laptops, including MacBooks that deficiency MagSafe. I've sewage a bully fistful of these connectors, and I usage them daily.

The champion point is that it doesn't slow down information transportation aliases charging. The connector has 24 pins, truthful each transmission connected nan USB-C cablegram is carried done nan connector, resulting successful nary compromises successful information transportation speed.

The magnetic breakaway connector carried each 24-pins, ensuring afloat velocity and powerfulness transfer

I cognize this because I've been testing respective of them to find nan champion and astir affordable exemplary for you.

A magnetic breakaway USB-C connector consists of 2 parts: nan first portion is nan USB-C larboard that plugs into nan instrumentality you want to protect -- beryllium that a laptop, smartphone, charger, powerfulness bank, aliases different instrumentality -- and nan different portion goes connected nan extremity of nan cablegram you're going to use.

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Super-strong neodymium magnets support nan 2 parts together erstwhile successful usage until there's a propulsion connected nan connector, and past nan 2 parts travel apart. The magnets are very beardown and propulsion nan 2 parts together pinch a decisive snap. It's a elemental thought yet brilliantly designed.

The magnetic USB-C connector snapping into place.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Just a statement connected nan different versions of this product: I've tested some nan 140W and 240W versions of this connector, and some reacted identically successful nan thermal and guidance tests. This makes sense, arsenic these are conscionable pass-through connectors, pinch nan only progressive constituent being nan LED light, which leads maine to reason that nan 140W versions simply person nan older branding.

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I've utilized akin breakaway USB-C connectors before, backmost erstwhile Apple removed nan MagSafe charging larboard from nan MacBook Pro. Thankfully, things person travel a agelong measurement since then: These connectors person been revamped, improving nan creation and magnet, and bringing them up to day pinch support for features specified arsenic 140W charging.

These breakaway connectors travel successful 3 different types -- straight, 90° elbow, and right-angle.

The magnet connected nan breakaway connector is strong.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Personally, I for illustration nan elbow design. It feels for illustration nan astir versatile and secure. In my testing, I recovered that nan consecutive and right-angled connectors were easier to propulsion apart, resulting successful much accidental breakaways. Still, I'd overmuch for illustration to woody pinch an accidental breakaway than a laptop that's been dragged to nan ground.

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The connectors besides characteristic a useful LED light, allowing you to spot if a instrumentality is charging. The portion of nan connector that goes into nan USB-C larboard tin sometimes beryllium a spot difficult to remove, particularly if, for illustration me, you person rubbish fingernails. This battalion comes pinch a loop of drawstring to assistance successful removal, which I find to beryllium a really bully touch.

One point that I've been asked astir a batch is whether you tin bargain spare ends for this adapter, either arsenic spares aliases because they've mislaid nan original ones. Good news! You tin bargain them successful a 3-pack for $10.

ZDNET's buying advice

The bully news is that these connectors are cheaper than ever. I retrieve paying good complete $20 for a azygous connector, but now you tin get a 2-pack for astir $20 pinch a 30% disconnected coupon connected Amazon.

They're a elemental yet effective measurement to protect ports from harm and forestall laptops from being pulled to nan floor. Investing a fewer dollars successful a mates of these could prevention you thousands successful nan agelong run.